The Dangers of Missing and Broken Pool Drain Covers

When Floridians hear about pool safety, it often involves ways to prevent
drowning. However, another potentially-deadly danger involves people becoming
entrapped in pool drains.

There are a number of ways that swimmers can become trapped in a drain
that is broken or uncovered. According to the Consumer Product Safety
Commission:

Almost 30 percent of cases involve a person's body being sucked down
and held underwater by the force of that suction.

Almost 29 percent of entrapments occur when a person hair gets stuck in
a drain.-- Over a quarter of cases occur when a limb gets stuck in a drain.

Jewelry, swimming suits and other items can also get stuck in a drain or
cover. This "mechanical" entrapment occurs in 5.6 percent of cases.

A particularly gruesome type of entrapment, which accounts for just over
3 percent of cases, involves disembowelment and evisceration. These can
occur when a person sits on a drain with a missing or broken cover.

Property owners are required to ensure that their pool drain covers meet
Florida Building Code and other standards for safety. They should have
their drains regularly inspected by a licensed professional. Broken, missing
and uncertified covers should always be replaced before anyone is allowed
access to a pool.

There is also a federal law called the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool &
Spa Safety Act. That law requires any public pool to have drain covers
and other safeguards to prevent entrapment.

Anyone who has been injured or who has
lost a family member due to a faulty or missing pool drain cover should determine what his
or her legal options are. Holding property owners accountable for unsafe
pools can bring needed compensation for medical bills and other financial
needs. It can also help incentivize property owners to work to ensure
the safety of those who use their pools.